ABMS Implements
Continuous Reporting of MOC Pilot Through ABP

CHICAGO - June 2, 2010 - The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) announced that its data file now reflects continuous certification reporting information for diplomates certified by the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP).  ABMS’ reporting pilot will begin with ABP, the first and only ABMS Member Board to eliminate specific certification “end dates” for its diplomates.

For all ABP diplomates who are initially certified in 2010 and beyond, as well as those whose certificate currently contains an expiration date, ongoing certification with the ABP is contingent upon meeting the requirements for Maintenance of Certification (MOC).  To maintain ABP certification, diplomates must successfully complete numerous requirements throughout the ongoing MOC cycles; thus the ABP no longer provides a specific end date to certification.

 ABMS recognizes that some credentialers may still require a certification end date to complete primary source verification.  As ABP diplomate certification status only changes at the beginning of a calendar year, unless revoked for disciplinary reasons, conducting annual primary source verification on or after February 15 will ensure credentialers have accurate certification status for ABP diplomates. The practice of conducting annual primary source verification in mid-February of each calendar year will also serve as a reminder previously provided by an official end date.  

Approximately 7,800 ABP diplomates whose certification expired December 31, 2009, are the first physicians to have this new designation.

“Although ABP’s policy does not affect other Member Boards, it aligns with the ABMS Maintenance of Certification® (ABMS MOC®) emphasis on continuous, life-long learning. For the credentialing community, the February 15 date will serve as an annual reminder to verify physicians’ credentials,” said Kevin B. Weiss, MD, president and CEO of ABMS.  “We are pleased to be able to provide credentialers with this continuous MOC reporting data pilot program for ABP diplomates, and we look forward to hearing feedback from the credentialing community and further supporting their needs.”

For additional information visit the ABP website at www.abp.org.

About ABMS
For more than 75 years, American Board of Medical Specialties has been the medical organization overseeing physician certification in the United States. It assists its 24 Member Boards in their efforts to develop and implement educational and professional standards for the evaluation and certification of physician specialists. ABMS Member Boards provide physician certification information to ABMS for its certification verification service programs. ABMS is recognized by the key healthcare credentialing accreditation entities as a primary equivalent source of board certification data for medical specialists. Patients can visit www.abms.org or call toll-free 1-866-ASK-ABMS to see if their physician is board certified by an ABMS Member Board. For more information about ABMS visit www.abms.org or call (312) 436-2600.

The 24 Member Boards that make up the ABMS Board Enterprise covers over 145 medical specialties and subspecialties include: American Board of Allergy and Immunology, American Board of Anesthesiology, American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery, American Board of Dermatology, American Board of Emergency Medicine, American Board of Family Medicine, American Board of Internal Medicine, American Board of Medical Genetics, American Board of Neurological Surgery, American Board of Nuclear Medicine, American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, American Board of Ophthalmology, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, American Board of Otolaryngology, American Board of Pathology, American Board of Pediatrics American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Board of Plastic Surgery, American Board of Preventive Medicine, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, American Board of Radiology, American Board of Surgery, American Board of Thoracic Surgery, and American Board of Urology.

About the ABP
Founded in 1933, the ABP is an independent, non-profit organization whose certification is recognized throughout the world as a credential signifying a high level of physician competence. Certification by the ABP has one objective -- to promote excellence in medical care for children and adolescents. Certification is earned after a rigorous review of a pediatrician's professional and educational background in addition to comprehensive examinations of relevant medical knowledge and clinical judgment. ABP provides a standard of excellence by which the public can select pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists. Although ABP certification is voluntary, nearly all qualified pediatricians seek this recognition.

The ABP awards certification in General Pediatrics and in the following subspecialty areas: Adolescent Medicine, Child Abuse Pediatrics, Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics, Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Pediatric Cardiology, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Pediatric Endocrinology, Pediatric Gastroenterology, Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Pediatric Nephrology, Pediatric Pulmonology and Pediatric Rheumatology.

Certification is also awarded in conjunction with other specialty boards in the areas of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Medical Toxicology, Neurodevelopmental Disabilities, Sleep Medicine, Sports Medicine and Transplant Hepatology.

For more information about the ABP, please visit our Web site at www.abp.org.